Who we are

We are group of friendly people from the Chichester and surrounding areas, committed to welcoming refugees and asylum-seekers and determined to challenge discrimination. We meet as an entire group a few times a year to discuss issues and make progress, and we meet in smaller groups more regularly to get certain tasks done. For example, there are groups to take forward work on housing, education, fundraising, and communication.

We are volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life. None of us receive payment for what we do.

We have an Executive Committee with 13 members who steer activities; and a whole host of local people who are part of the group and contribute whatever they can, when they can.

Mary Downy is a Sanctuary in Chichester volunteer and regularly meets unaccompanied young people at the Foyer. She chats with them to help improve their English and sometimes provides support by attending appointments with them.

“Sanctuary in Chichester is about welcoming people who are refugees. Often, they are teenagers who are still struggling with growing up and we want to be alongside them. We need to get to know the positives about the teenager and encourage them to do what they are interested in and to give them hope to see a way forward.”